Gambling News and New Games

2018 Masters Sets New Handle Record at Las Vegas Sportsbook

The 2018 Masters has already set a new record handle for golf’s first major of the year. That might come as little surprise, as the nation’s general attitude towards sports betting calms, and 14-time major champion Tiger Woods returns to competitive play at Augusta National for the first time since 2015.

Tiger Woods’ return to Georgia has already led to a new record Masters handle in Las Vegas. (Image: Scott Brown/Augusta National)

Westgate SuperBook golf oddsmaker Jeff Sherman writes this week on The Action Network websiteregarding the uniqueness of setting lines for the Masters.

The Las Vegas sportsbook manager says the fact that the tournament is played on the same course each year provides an abundance of handicapping data to base odds on. But the Masters also brings out novice bettors who otherwise don’t tend to place bets on weekly PGA Tour events.

Throw in Tiger’s return, potentially the best to ever play the game who’s won four green jackets, and deciding on Masters odds is part science, part mathematics, and of course a little bit of luck.

2015 Masters winner Jordan Spieth and Jordan Spieth remain the favorites at 10/1. Dustin Johnson has moved slightly longer to 12/1 where he joins Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Rose for a four-way tie for the second-shortest line.

Masters Handle Record

It’s been years since there’s been this much excitement heading into golf’s first major of the year. The game has been dominated in recent years by names like Spieth, Johnson, and Thomas, and all three seem likely to be in contention come Saturday and Sunday.

But new for 2018, two lefties are back in Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson. The fan-favorites have both recently won PGA Tour events, and together have donned five of the last 14 Masters green jackets.

Woods hasn’t hoisted a PGA Tour event trophy since 2013, and his last major came back at the 2008 US Open. But his recent solid play has bettors excited.

“Any time Tiger plays, he garners so much attention from the general public that his odds are generally half of what they would be had his name not been associated with the odds,” Sherman reveals. “In fact, Tiger currently ranks first in ticket count and number three in money wagered for the Masters.”

The buzz has already generated a new record Masters handle.

“The optimal Tiger Woods for the book is for him to play well but not win. This is what he has been doing recently … and it has led to a record handle already for the 2018 Masters.”

Props Galore

To collect the highest handle possible, Sherman’s SuperBook has unveiled 100 prop bets on the 2018 Masters. Eleven involve Tiger, with the next closet golfer in six.

You can bet on whether Woods’ opening round drive on the first hole will end up in the fairway (Yes -140, No +120), if he’ll have the lead after Thursday (Yes +1400, No -4000), and his chances of playing the weekend (Yes -500, No +375).

Bettors can also take odds on the week’s lowest score (Over 65.5 +140, Under 65.5 -160), and take five of the favorites (Spieth, Thomas, DJ, McIlroy, Woods) to win at +150, No -180.